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Postgraduate study

We’re pleased you’re planning to take your next step with a postgraduate course at the University of Sunderland. Learn more about our first-class facilities, study options, support networks, and answer those important questions you might have about postgraduate study. Wherever you’re coming from, and wherever you want to go, this could be the moment it all falls into place.

Book a Postgraduate Open Day

Why postgraduate study?

If you’re looking to further your skills and knowledge in your field, progress more quickly in your chosen career, earn a higher salary or choose a new career path, postgraduate study could be for you.

A postgraduate course requires a high level of commitment and focus, something employers value greatly. As more people enter the workforce with an undergraduate degree, you could stand out from the crowd with a postgraduate qualification.

You may need a postgraduate qualification to work in a particular role, or to embark on a whole new career. Or maybe you're coming to the end of your undergraduate studies and want to enhance your knowledge. Whether you choose to study a taught course or focus on a research degree, you'll improve your critical thinking and analysis skills, as well as deepen your understanding of your chosen subject.

Postgraduate study at Sunderland

You can be assured of high-quality teaching across our postgraduate courses, as well as access to excellent facilities, including state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces such as the Living Lab, the nationally recognised National Glass Centre and the professionally supervised Law Clinic and Marketing Hub.

Our courses are career-focused and professions-facing, ensuring you have a head start in the workplace when you graduate. Many of our courses are co-designed by employers, affiliated with professional bodies and our lecturers are closely linked to their sectors. We also offer conversion courses that enable you to embark on a new career.

Most of our courses start in September and October, but we also have early starts from January to April.

Current students

If you're a current undergraduate student at the University of Sunderland, we'd love you to stay with us.

As a University of Sunderland graduate (alumni), you could be awarded a generous tuition fee discount if you return to study a postgraduate course with us. For most courses, graduates who enrol onto a full or part-time postgraduate course will receive 20% off tuition fees.

To make things easier for you to apply, you can complete a shorter version of our postgraduate application form for most of our postgraduate courses – head to your chosen course page, hit 'Apply now' and select the button for current undergraduate students.

Student stories

Read our student stories to find out what it’s really like to study at the University of Sunderland.

MSc Inequality and Society graduate, Sarah Ellis says:

"I graduated from my undergraduate degree at the University of Sunderland 22 years ago and have very happy memories of that time. I chose Sunderland to study my Master's degree because I remembered a friendly and fun atmosphere – which certainly still exists!

Having been an undergraduate at Sunderland and returning two decades later, it feels like coming home. The University and this course has given me hope, a direction and purpose. Crucially it has provided me with the means to achieve my goals.

For the last ten years I’ve held onto a three-word phrase: “Believe, Persevere, Achieve”. For me, the University of Sunderland embodies that ethos.”

Flexible learning

Did you know we offer a range of flexible learning opportunities? Striking the balance between work and personal commitments can be tricky, so we want to make student life at Sunderland as straightforward as possible.

Many of our postgraduate courses are offered on both a full-time and part-time basis and our supportive tutors are on hand to ensure you can manage your workload throughout.

Alternatively, you may choose to join our online community and study a distance learning course. This option allows you to study anywhere in the world while staying in employment.

Browse our courses to find out which are taught part-time or distance learning.

Fees and funding

A postgraduate degree increases your earning power and enhances your career prospects, but we understand that postgraduate study can be a significant investment, particularly as the cost of living is increasing. We’re here to support you and make your time at university as affordable as possible, as you make that investment in your future.

We also offer an alumni loyalty scheme for University of Sunderland graduates (alumni) in the form of a generous tuition fee discount, if you return to study a postgraduate course with us.

Learn more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Financial support is also available in the form of scholarships and bursaries, from tuition fee discounts to subject-specific cash scholarships to support your learning.

Learn more about scholarships and bursaries available to postgraduate students.

Support

As well as offering help with fees and funding, we also provide support services that you may need:

The Gateway Enquiries team – the first place to go for any kind of information about the University.
University Library Services offer access to digital and print resources and study skills sessions.
Our Student Wellbeing Service is here to support you through your student journey, by providing free and confidential tailored support to address your health and wellbeing needs.
Sunderland Futures is the University’s Career Service. They can support you with all your career needs, from finding a student job in the local area, to volunteering opportunities and even professional mentoring.
Our Chaplaincy service offers information on the many different places of worship in the area and encourages and supports students and religious groups of all faiths and denominations.
The Disability Support team provide a confidential service to you if your disability or condition has an impact on how you study and learn.
The University of Sunderland Childcare Service is open to students, staff and the general public.

Open days and campus tours

Join us at our next Postgraduate Open Day and see what Sunderland really has to offer. Come and see our excellent facilities, meet staff and current students and discover what postgraduate study at the University of Sunderland could mean for you. Need more persuasion? Check out our article on why you should come to our next Postgraduate Open Day.

We also offer you to chance to book one of our regular campus tours. Visits are delivered by our Student Ambassadors or a member of our friendly student recruitment team. They are experts in providing tours of our campuses, including the libraries, social spaces, teaching areas and facilities available for your chosen course.

If you can’t make it on campus, you can still look around our facilities through our Virtual Open Day.

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Explore

What is the difference between an MA and an MSc degree?

Put simply, an MA (Master of Arts) is usually an arts-based course, while an MSc (Master of Sciences) degree is usually science or research based. However, MA degrees aren’t just about arts; a whole range of subject areas and courses can lead to the award of Master of Arts, including business and marketing, and social sciences.

Why study a postgraduate degree?

A postgraduate degree, (or masters degree) can unlock greater earning potential, further your knowledge of a subject and set you apart from other candidates when applying for jobs. Here we’ll talk you through some of the main reasons why studying a postgraduate degree might be right for you.

What is distance learning and what are the benefits?

Online distance learning is a flexible way of taking a course without the need to attend traditional lectures at a college or university, with all of the course material being delivered online. Distance learners studying with the University of Sunderland benefit from lectures and support delivered through our Virtual Learning Environment, which is accessible from anywhere in the world.

Things to consider when choosing a masters degree

Are you thinking about postgraduate study, but not sure where to begin? It’s important to do your research before applying to university, to work out which course you want to study and where you want to study it.